Professional wrestling might not be real, but the word defined to protect it is now a real word you can find in the dictionary.
Merriam-Webster released its latest update on Friday for September 2023. 690 words, acronyms, and definitions were added to America’s most trusted and respected dictionary.
Goated, Mid, Padawan, Simp, Bracketology, ngl, and Kayfabe are some of the words now officially recognized by the famed publisher.
Diehard enthusiasts who follow wrestling are aware of many behind-the-scenes terms. Kayfabe protects the suspension of disbelief for the audience.
Below is how Kayfabe is listed in the dictionary.
kayfabe noun
kay·fabe
:the tacit agreement between professional wrestlers and their fans to pretend that overtly staged wrestling events, stories, characters, etc., are genuine
There have been some wild storylines and matches throughout the history of wrestling and wrestlers will do almost anything not to break kayfabe.—complex.com
… for at least 50 years “kayfabe” has referred to the unspoken contract between wrestlers and spectators: We’ll present you something clearly fake under the insistence that it’s real, and you will experience genuine emotion. Neither party acknowledges the bargain, or else the magic is ruined.—Nick Rogers
The illusive term is derived from Pig Latin for “fake” or (” ake-fay”) or the phrase “be fake.” Many credit the origin of the word to old-school carnival circuits. Kayfabe was carny slang meant to protect the secrets of the business.
Let me look over my shoulder before I continue…
Kayfabe is also used interjectionally by many in the industry, as the word is spoken as much as it’s practiced.
If a heel wrestler refuses to give autographs at the airport or hotel, they could be a jerk, or they might be protecting the business by keeping their character consistent in and out of the ring.
When breaking into the wrestling business, I wrestled as the masked menace, Grappler III.
One night in Vermont, I spoke to a fan at an after-party who said he liked all of the wrestlers on the show except for the one in the mask. I internally smiled from ear to ear as we shared our mutual disdain for Grappler III.
Surly 80s promoter Bill Watts was known for safeguarding the business at all costs. If a wrestler on his roster got pinned down in a street fight, Watts would send them packing, unapologetically stating, “If a wrestler gets into a fight outside of the ring, the business better win.”
Wrestlers would sell storyline injuries at home, only travel with fellow heels and babyfaces, and sometimes act or dress like their televised persona. It’s all done in service of the business to keep the illusion alive.
The infamous MSG curtain call incident in May 1996 saw bad guys Diesel and Triple H, along with good guys Razor Ramon and Shawn Micheals, go off script and celebrate in the ring together after wrestling each other that night.
The four real-life friends purposely broke kayfabe because they wanted one last memorable moment before their separation. Diesel and Razor were leaving WWE for rival promotion WCW.
Many at the time felt it was the biggest insult to the business. Purposely shattering the illusion of opponents being friends is akin to a magician making someone disappear and then immediately showing the audience how the trick was done by revealing the trap door.
Slang is also a method used when it comes to kayfabe. A wrestler, promoter, or booker might divulge confidential information about the upcoming show and tell you to “Kayfabe it,” meaning don’t tell anyone.
“Kayfabe,” I’ll sometimes reply when my wife inquires about the occasional large purchase from the PlayStation store on our bank statement…It never works.
Many believe kayfabe is dead, feeling it no longer applies to modern professional wrestling. The internet blew the doors wide open on the business, exposing behind-the-scenes plans, vernacular, and gossip.
Today, wrestlers will give each other props on social media while booked amid a bitter feud. Yesterday, that would have been a sin. Today, besides some grumbling from old-school wrestlers, it makes no difference.
Regardless of how one views kayfabe, it’s the magic that engulfs the sport and spectacle of professional wrestling. It’s why wrestlers, managers, referees, ring announcers, and commentators yearn to tell stories in such a unique setting.
Besides what’s written here, I generally don’t talk much about the inner workings of wrestling. The less someone knows, the more kayfabe augments that all-important suspension of disbelief.
Basically, I ain’t snitching.
Speaking of snitching, why is this Merriam-Webster sucka publishing industry secrets, huh? Keep breaking kayfabe and see if I don’t give you a fresh one, David Schultz style. 😉
RingsideLogic.com 